Peru's President More Popular Than Ever After Shutting Congress
3h ago
John Quigley, Bloomberg News
(Bloomberg) -- Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra’s decision to dissolve Congress to end a long-running political feud over fighting corruption has made him the country’s most popular leader in more than three decades.
Vizcarra’s approval rating soared to 82% from 52% last month, according to a poll by Lima-based Datum Internacional poll published in Gestion and Peru21 newspapers on Thursday. His decision to shut the legislative body was supported by 85% of those questioned while 74% said it will be beneficial for the country.
Thousands of Peruvians celebrated in the streets after Vizcarra told the Andean nation Sept. 30 that he was invoking his constitutional right to dissolve Congress and calling new parliamentary elections. While some opposition lawmakers said the move amounted to a coup and plan to fight it in the courts, his surging popularity underlines the public repudiation of Peru’s political parties following a series of corruption scandals.
The president is quickly building on his increasing popularity to regain power and send a message of normality after last week’s political crisis. On Thursday he is hosting Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, the first foreign dignitary visiting the country since the dissolution, after swearing in a new ministerial team Oct. 3.
More:
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/peru-s-president-more-popular-than-ever-after-shutting-congress-1.1329774
President Martin Vizcarra
